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Frank Gerwer interview

Photos: Gabe Morford

frank_gerwer_tent_city_antihero

The last time a pro from Antihero graced this site with an interview back in 2005 the world talked shit for months. This time though we had 5 sober minutes instead of a drunken hour to kill ahead of Tent City’s deluxe re-issue. If you have never seen this flick in your lifetime then you are in for a treat. Made by Coan “Buddy” Nichols and Rick Charnoski, this movie has gone down in skate history as a classic since its original released back in 2004 and features the Antihero crew hitting the open roads of Australia and shredding everything in sight.

Today, extra footage from the filming of this trip has been stitched together and bundled onto the interweb for your viewing pleasure. The skating in this is obviously mental but the story itself and the mission makes up half of what makes it so good. Frank Gerwer gave Jono Coote and his flatmates the capital treatment before he water skied to his next business meeting.

How’s life Frank?

TAKING FOREVER! YOU THINK YOU CAN GET SICK DRINKING YOUR OWN PEE?

Where are you right now?

WAITING TO BOARD THIS VIRGIN GALACTIC FLIGHT TO SPACE.

How often do people tell you Tent City inspired them to travel?

WELL FROM THE HUGE BOX OF FAN MAIL I GET DAILY, I’D SAY IT INSPIRED 50%-70% OF THEM? MAYBE 35%- CAN YOU REPEAT THE QUESTION?

What part of this extra footage gets you hyped the most?

THE FIRST 120 MINUTES OF THE BONUS FOOTAGE GETS ME THE MOST STOKED.

Looking back, is there a particular memory that stands out from this flick?

I TRY NOT TO LOOK BACK – I HAVE NECK ISSUES, ANY SIDE MOVEMENT REALLY.

Who won the full pipe battle from this test?

WELL OUR SHERPA GUIDE KILLED IT! I THINK HIS NAME WAS LAKHPA?

Standard Australia question: What was the gnarliest wildlife encounter whilst you were there?

THE NIGHT WE ALL GOT ATTACKED BY BANDICOOTS WAS GNARLY! AND THE MAGPIES, GEEZ.

Whose tent stank the most?

I’M NOT ONE FOR SELF PRAISE BUT IT WAS MINE – HANDS DOWN – A PERFECT 10/10.

How important are semi-nomadic hobo style trips to the all-round skate experience?

THE MOST IMPORTANT.

Personal favourite skate trip of 2013?

WELL WE WON SKATE ROCK RIGHT?

On Beauty and the Beast, did you take any slams trying to run up the ladder at the back of the van?

HAVE YOU EVER SEEN MY LADDER CLIMBING SKILLS? FUCK NO I DIDN’T SLAM – I’M IN THE 9 CLUB WITH THAT SHIT! THINK I WAS HOLDING A BEER TOO – SO YEAH I’M PRETTY GOOD.

Antihero just turned 18 this year, what advice would you give to your 18 year old self?

PAY YA TAXES DUMBASS.

As a fellow owner of a notable nose, my housemate wants to know how you feel about being put forward for the SNOTY (Skaters Nose of the Year) Award?

WELL I WAS BORN WITH A REGULAR NOSE, THEN I HEARD ABOUT THE SNOTY AWARD AND THEN HAD THE BUMP AND LARGE BEAK AREA ADDED- HAD TO GO TO CANADA BECAUSE IT WAS TOO CONTROVERSIAL OF A PROCEDURE FOR A US DOCTOR – SO YEAH, I FEEL GOOD ABOUT IT.

What would it take for you to bomb Jones Street in SF in the rain?

A RIDE TO THE AIRPORT?

Will Antihero announce a new pro in the first quarter of 2014?

I’M NOT AT LIBERTY TO DISCLOSE THIS INFORMATION – BUT I’M NOT GETTING ON THIS VIRGIN GALACTIC FLIGHT FOR NOTHIN’!

Why should we pick up this flick on iTunes this month?

YOU’LL HAVE TO BUY IT TO FIND THE SECRET PART! THAT’S WHY!